Commercial Grade

Sometimes, even on a stressful day, something wonderful happens.

Today, after a crazy day at work, I came home to find this box sitting on my front porch. (We won't mention that I didn't have to sign for said item, it would only make me grumpy anyway.)

What does a commercial grade sewing machine look like? It is a thing of beauty. It is a thing that should take me years and years to wear out.

I had a similar model, in the "home sewing" category, that gasped, let out some smoke and died.

My next step, or the step up from here, is when I have enough room for a really big, really expensive, with a really big motor, industrial sewing machine.

Gotta run! Sewing to be done.

Fashion Victim

I had a crazy idea. An idea that turned into a really silly project. I went ahead with it anyway. I'll just call this one a "proof of concept" and carry on.

Sure, Christmas stockings are cute, but they could be cuter. Really.

I had some Halloween fabric that I thought would make a good witch stocking-like thing. Well, it is a stocking, but something completely different.

I started with the stocking. While looking for some fabric, I found some tulle. I couldn't resist. Ooh, some ribbon might be nice. The result is cute, silly, and more than a little tacky. I like them anyway.

Hang it on your door to let the ghouls know you've got candy.

No witches were harmed in the making of these stockings.

Lastly, I finished my latest knitting project, new fingerless mitts to replace the pair I made last year. It was a rough year. Made from 100% wool. Hand-dyed wool. I also started on a cap in the same wool. Okay, not exactly the same, it was hand-dyed another color.

I'm also going to use all of the silly Halloween fabric I have, not to make more witch stockings, but to make simple little bags for the little ghouls.

Sewing Machine Surgery

Monday, the bobbin winder on my new (less than 6 months) sewing machine decided to go on strike.

I stomped about, I cursed, I found my warranty information, I even attempted to call Singer. Since none of this helped I decided to try to fix it myself. Yes, I know, I am not a certified Singer repairman. There also isn't a single one in the state of Montana (according to Singer's website).

After poking around, trying to take it apart, I realized I needed a really long screwdriver. I put the entire project on hold for the week. Partly to prevent more stomping and cursing, partly so I could borrow a really long screwdriver.

Today, screwdriver and time met each other with desire. I was ready to disassemble a machine not intended to be disassembled by the owner. I prefer to ignore the "no user serviceable parts inside" warning. It is just a sewing machine.

After loosening what seemed an over abundance of screws, I managed to take off the back of the sewing machine. Now, I could look at the pesky bobbin winder and attempt to understand what was wrong. The problem was easily identified. It seems there was a screw acting as a pivot point. A screw that was no where to be found. Some rooting around in the computer room gave me a small screw that fit the bill.

Getting it back together didn't go as smoothly as possible. Evidently all those screws are needed to make sure the handle on the top of the machine doesn't attempt to run away.

At any rate, machine re-assembled and happily spinning bobbins again. If you look closely at the last picture, you can see the screw through the slot of the bobbin winder.

I can now go back to sewing without having to hand-wind a bobbin.

Coffee in a minute

I saw some cute cozies on Etsy and had to give it a try.

Here is a picture of the actual item, keeping an actual drink company. Sent from the actual coffee shop, even.

If you look closely, you can see another in the background, carefully guarded by its owner.

Ladies Pajama Sunday

Today, the ladies all came by for sewing, gossip and food.

The project today was pajama pants, because you can never have too many.

(Well, I had to admit that I didn't need another pair. I think more than five is pushing the limits of good sense.)

Fun fabric choices combined with a simple pattern to make wonderful pajama pants for each of the sewing ladies.

Thank you to all the ladies for a wonderful Sunday and for being kind enough to pose in your wonderful, comfortable creations.

I had to include a close-up of Jen's fabric. Not everyone can pull off pink and John Deere in one place.

Next week? I think we may have to make hanging kitchen towels. Simple (because I'm not allowed to say "easy" anymore) enough to not need to be gathered.

Unless, of course, I get some other crazy idea before the end of the week.

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse

I can't resist a challenge.

In this case, the challenge of making a pair of thrift store jeans into a bag. Okay, so I really used a pair of jeans and a button-down shirt.

The jeans are reasonably sized, but still make a good-sized bag. More than big enough to store your current knitting project or even double as a diaper bag.

Plenty of pockets, too.

Oh, and for those of you that heard there was yarn dyeing going on, here is a peek at some of the colorways.

Kitchen Fashion

Sometimes, an idea comes to me that just begs to come to life. Here is one of those little ideas.

Are you tired of Honey walking off with your kitchen hand towel? Of course, you don't realize it until he's left the kitchen and your hands are wet.

Through the years, I've seen these in many a kitchen. I saw some really cute towels on Etsy.com and just had to attempt to make one.

In my sewing world, nothing ever really happens by singles. I don't think efficiency can be taken too far.

Although, while working with my stash fabrics, I didn't get any to match. No two fabrics the same, no two buttons the same. I'm a stash-buster!

(That assumes I don't buy more fabric, or hit the thrift store during a 50% off everything sale.)